Vol. 547 No. 1
198 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will include the development of a commuter rail link between Tralee and Killarney in the study her Department intends to conduct on the feasibility of commuter rail links between major towns and cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1446/02]
203 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will ensure that a commuter rail link is provided between Tralee and Killarney in future proposals she intends to bring forward to develop commuter links between major towns and cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1591/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 198 and 203 together.
I announced earlier this week a major strategic rail study which will examine a range of proposals for railway services in various parts of the country and develop a 20 year blueprint for the future of the network to meet the increasing demand for public transport. The upgrading of existing passenger services, such as those on the Tralee-Killarney route, will be examined in the course of the strategic rail study.
199 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn by Iarnród Éireann to plans to downgrade the rail network between Limerick and Foynes; if so, the details of same; her views in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1502/02]
Iarnród Éireann informs me that they have no plans to downgrade the line between Foynes and Limerick. The line is currently closed to traffic and is in the care of the engineering department of Iarnród Éireann as a safety precaution during the construction of a new level crossing across the line at Foynes. I understand this work is part of roadworks by Limerick County Council to improve access to the port and is due to be completed in June of this year.
